Confucious say "Made in China - keep receipt"

Update to the tile saw I bought from Rona. I believed I was getting a deal by only paying $79 vs. $149 or more. We'll this weekend the fence on the saw broke. You'd expect the motor or something like that to break but not the fence. The locking cam attached to a threaded rod inside the fence no longer grips the threads. In fact there are no threads left so there's no way of locking the fence the to table.

I can't find the reciept anymore to get a replacement, but at least I can fix it with some good old fashion US of A Loctite.

Old School Auction

Today Warner and I went to the "Starburst" video game and vending machine auction. This action specializes in 80's coin-op video games. But before we headed out Aidan wanted Warner to inflate his beach ball for him and as you can see he's very happy about it. Aidan is too young to go to the auction so he hung out with my Dad.

My first time at the auction was an interesting experience. The showroom turned out to be a dusty warehouse off of Keele and Lakeshore. When you first enter you'll see an assortment of video and pinball games all of which are all qay beyond their prime. People milled about the narrow paths prepared with electrical extension cords in hand, sometimes connecting them to consoles in order to test the units.

Part of the aution was held outside in the back parking lot. As I expected, these types of events attract some pretty interesting characters (I didn't see the elusive Ponytail-man).

We didn't expect to buy anything, this was more of a fishing expedition for us. I did witness a Baywatch pinball machine go for $1,500. This was a worthwhile trek, I see it as research trip.

After the auction Aidan and I headed to Swansea Townhall to check out the Holly Jolly Sale where mom was selling cards and jewlery.

My POD day

A POD day, means Personal Off Day. My employer provides a combination of 8 POD and sick days per year and since it's coming close to the end of the year I'm taking advantage of some time off.

I can't say I relaxed though, in fact it was pretty busy.
It started as beautiful sunny and warm fall morning. I took Adian to the doctors for a checkup and immunization and flu shots. While in the waiting room Aidan made friends with a 3 year old Ethiopean boy, he was following him around and also have him a couple of hugs (too cute). Afterwards we strolled to the Tim Horton's thenwalked home but not before being turned away from a playground. In all fairness to the "mean" gatekeepers I didn't know it was a daycare. After watching and episode of Blue Clues it was lunch and time for a nap. I took the opportunity to finish cutting some granite tiles for the kitchen countertop. That was fun! I got to test out a new wet saw, cut through half inch granite like 'Butta'.

Late in the afternoon we hopped into the car and drove to Future shop and the Home Depot. I needed some more tiles and I also wanted some new music. I got my excercise chasing Aidan around the Future Shop as he rearranged the CD section and turned on and off every plasma TV within arms reach.

I made dinner, gave Aidan a bath, read him his favortite stories and tucked him into bed. Nice.

There is a major rain storm coming tonight. I swept up all the leaves in the backyard so that there's a clear drain. The last thing I want is to come home to a flooded basement. I'll end the day with a hot cup of tea and cherry pie.

A poem for Dads

LITTLE EYES UPON YOU

There are little eyes upon you and they're watching night and day.
There are little ears that quickly take in every word you say.
There are little hands all eager to do anything you do;
And a little boy who's dreaming of the day he'll be like you.


You're the little fellow's idol, you're the wisest of the wise.
In his little mind about you no suspicions ever rise.
He believes in you devoutly, holds all you say and do;
He will say and do, in your way when he's grown up just like you.


There's a wide-eyed little fellow who believes you're always right;
and his eyes are always opened, and he watches day and night.
You are setting an example every day in all you do;
For the little boy who's waiting to grow up to be like you.

Author Unknown

Subway Tile

I got my butt into gear this weekend and got the backsplash done. I went with Daltile's subway tile called Rittenhouse Square. I love the traditional classic look, Marissa says she feels like she's in a bathroom. I still need to make a few custom cut pieces and work in the grout but so far I'm very pleased with how it turned out. I'm going to buy a wet tile saw tomorrow (Warren said he's gonna share the cost) so that should make the inside corner cut pieces easy as well as the 3/8" grantite tile top that I'll be doing tomorrow. Believe me, cutting ceramic tile with nippers is a waste of time and money, I already broke 8 pieces (50cents each) trying to fit around the outlet.

The undercabinet lighting is completed as well. Originally I wanted to go with Xenon because the're whiter and not as hot but I can't find them anywhere. So I've got 5 pucks hooked up to a 120watt transformer and an electric low voltage dimmer ($39!!! a dimmer)

Where is my car?

I bought a car two and half weeks ago and have not seen it yet. I think it was a Mazda3 but it's been so long I can't be sure. So where is my car? I think I've been scammed. I'll give it another week, but if it starts to snow I'll be hoofing to work by TTC.